Today’s Music News: PJ Harvey to record new album while on public display inside a glass box

Sponsor

Sponsor

From Jan. 16 to around Feb. 14, PJ Harvey will record her next album while on public display—along with her band, producers, and engineers—inside a glass box in London. The box will be located inside the New Wing of Somerset House in London, and will be lined with one-way glass: holders of tickets (already sold out) to see the recording process will be able to see the artist, but she won’t be able to see them. “I hope people will see the attention and the labour and the care that goes into making a recording,” says Harvey by way of explanation. (Billboard)

After 30 years on display at Graceland, Elvis Presley‘s planes Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II are up for auction, with sealed bids due by Feb. 2. Presley called the Lisa Marie, which he bought in 1975, “the Flying Graceland.” The planes aren’t airworthy, but the Lisa Marie‘s new owner can still enjoy Elvis’s private club room, gold faucets, and “TCB” tail fin. (Rolling Stone)

Lindsey Buckingham has good news and bad news for fans of Fleetwood Mac. The good news is that the band’s new album is coming along swimmingly, including material contributed by newly returned band member Christine McVie. The bad news is that the forthcoming album and tour are being described by Buckingham as “the last act” for the band, who have been active in various configurations since 1967. (NME) Fleetwood Mac will perform at the Xcel Energy Center on Jan. 16.

Jarvis Cocker‘s childhood friend Deborah Bone, the inspiration for Pulp‘s hit 1995 song “Disco 2000,” has died of myeloma at age 51. Cocker and Bone remained friends until the end; Cocker reportedly played “Disco 2000” at Bone’s 50th birthday party just last year. (Billboard)

The music world is also mourning Little Jimmy Dickens, who until his death at age 94 was the oldest living Grand Ole Opry member; Jeff Golub, a jazz guitarist known for his work with Rod Stewart; and Mercury Records co-founder Irwin Steinberg.

Is Nashville‘s “musical middle class” collapsing? That’s the headline of an article in the Tennesseean that reports the number of full-time songwriters in the city has dropped by 80% since 2000.

Lykke Li has canceled upcoming festival appearances, saying she needs to take a break and rest up. “Sometimes we push and push but the body simply won’t follow,” she explained via Instagram. “I gave it all I had, my body, heart, and soul. After 7 years of touring my health is screaming/begging for me to listen/heal/slow down. Thank you so much for understanding.” (Pitchfork)

Mac DeMarco auctioned off a pair of his dirty old sneakers for charity; the weathered Vans sold for $21,100, which will go to the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls. (Stereogum)

Patrick Carney of the Black Keys dislocated his shoulder on Saturday after being slammed to the ocean floor by a giant wave off the coast of St. Barths. The drummer joked about the accident on Instagram: “Tune into my new Lifetime movie. Dislocated Shoulder airing right now.” (Billboard)

They Might Be Giants ran a “Dial-a-Song” number from 1983 through 2006; fans could call to hear brief songs, updated as often as daily, played via an answering machine. As the duo prepare to play a yearlong residency at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, John Linnell and John Flansburgh are bringing the Dial-a-Song concept back in a big way. There’s a new Dial-a-Song number (844-387-6962) and a Dial-a-Song website, and the songs will be featured on the band’s YouTube channel as well as via 100 or more radio stations that have sign up to join the “Dial-a-Song network.” (Rolling Stone)

While vacationing in Hawaii, President Obama and his two daughters spent about a half-hour hanging out with Eddie Vedder and his family. The Pearl Jam frontman has long been a vocal supporter of Obama’s, and performed at a fundraiser for the President’s 2012 re-election. (Billboard)

After musicians complained of inconsistencies in when and whether they were allowed to bring their instruments on airplanes with them, the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a ruling that clarifies questions involving musical instruments and air travel. Airlines are not required to allow musicians to buy seats for large instruments to occupy in the passenger cabin, but they’re encouraged to do so, “providing that all safety requirements are met.” (Classical MPR)

Sorry, Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé: far and away the biggest-selling holiday album of 2014 was That’s Christmas to Me by Pentatonix. (Billboard)